Judge Blocks Florida’s Atlantic Red Snapper Season Hours Before Memorial Day Weekend Start
The injunction leaves Florida anglers with no federal red snapper days and keeps the South Atlantic harvest closed pending further court action.
- On Thursday, May 21, U.S. Judge Rudolph Contreras issued an injunction halting the 2026 Atlantic red snapper season one day before it was scheduled to begin in Florida.
- The Southeastern Fisheries Association filed a lawsuit challenging the Exempted Fishing Permits, alleging they would "substantially exceed the stock's annual catch limit" of 22,797 fish.
- Critics, including the Ocean Conservancy, argued the 39-day expansion would "decimate the red snapper fishery," while charter captain Richard Hunt of Little Adam Fishing spent about $275 on gas and bait.
- Following the ruling, the Wildlife Conservation Commission rescinded its previous order but confirmed anglers may harvest up to two red snappers in state waters with a 20-inch size limit.
- Governor Ron DeSantis called the judge's ruling "not a good decision" and indicated the state expects an appeal to restore the federal permits he previously championed.
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Florida Today
The News-PressWhat Florida anglers need to know after red snapper ruling
What anglers in Florida should know about the pause on the Atlantic red snapper season and where to sign up for text updates.
Gov. DeSantis snaps back at red snapper setback
A defiant Gov. Ron DeSantis ripped a recent judicial decision throwing the near-term fate of Florida’s newly-expanded Atlantic Ocean red snapper season into doubt. “This is a judge in Washington, D.C. Probably doesn’t know the first thing about fishing. And they’re doing this. It’s not a good decision,” DeSantis said in Jacksonville at Ribault High School. On May 21, U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras, an appointee of former President Barack …
FWC keeps Atlantic red snapper open in state waters after federal ruling; DeSantis blasts judge
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is slamming a federal judge’s ruling, as state wildlife officials said Thursday that recreational anglers will still be allowed to fish for Atlantic red snapper in Florida state waters after a federal judge temporarily blocked a federally approved permit program days before the expanded season was set to begin.… The post FWC keeps Atlantic red snapper open in state waters after federal ruling; DeSant…
Florida revamps red snapper fishing rules in Atlantic waters after federal court order
Florida wildlife officials modified recreational red snapper fishing rules set to begin Friday after a federal court issued an order halting such fishing in the South Atlantic.
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